Minimum input current to run SparkFun Energy Harvesting Breakout - LTC3588

Components & Accessories Power
1

Hello everyone!

I work with a triboelectric energy harvesting system that provides up to 100V and 100 nA. I am looking for a circuit that can lower the voltage without depleting the current. I became interested in the SparkFun Energy Harvesting Breakout, however I wonder what is the minimum current the system needs to operate. I saw the typical quiescent current is 450 nA, maybe it can operate with less as well?

In the case the breakout is not suitable for this application, can you recommend me another product?

Thanks!

2

The extremely high impedance of that source (1000 MOhms, assuming 100 nA is the short circuit current) is a serious problem for most active circuitry .

My first idea would be to use the source to charge a low leakage capacitor, then periodically discharge the capacitor into a switching step down regulator, which will lower the voltage and increase the current.